'No objectives and no limits' - Bahrain Victorious aim to keep their Giro d'Italia leader Afonso Eulálio free from any pressure

Bahrain Victorious are adopting a cautious yet optimistic approach as their young rider Afonso Eulálio dons the maglia rosa in the Giro d’Italia. The 24-year-old Portuguese cyclist claimed the overall lead in dramatic fashion on stage 5, despite a late crash, and now holds a 2:51 advantage over his closest rival, Igor Arrieta. With only his second Giro and limited experience at WorldTour level, Eulálio’s tenure in pink is unpredictable, but the team is determined to support him without imposing excessive pressure. Sports director Franco Pellizotti emphasises that the team has no fixed objectives for Eulálio beyond defending the jersey day by day. Having identified stage 5 as a key opportunity, Bahrain Victorious had already planned to protect him early in the race, allowing him to seize the lead when the chance arose. Pellizotti is mindful of the challenges ahead, particularly the upcoming Blockhaus climb and the 42-kilometre time trial in Tuscany, which could prove decisive given Eulálio’s relative weakness against the clock. Eulálio’s background in mountain biking and his recent progression in road racing make him something of an unknown quantity, both for himself and the team. Pellizotti highlights the rider’s strong performances in climbing events earlier in the season, such as the Volta a Catalunya and the AlUla Tour, but acknowledges that flat stages and time trials remain potential vulnerabilities. Despite this, the team views every day spent in the leader’s jersey as a valuable experience and a bonus rather than a burden. The lead also represents a morale boost for Bahrain Victorious after losing their main general classification contender, Santiago Buitrago, to a crash early in the race. Pellizotti sees Eulálio’s unexpected rise as a source of inspiration, reinforcing belief within the squad that success is attainable even under challenging circumstances. As the race progresses, the team will continue to manage expectations carefully, allowing their young leader to develop naturally without the weight of rigid targets.